29 May 2013

At a "build party" you can assemble your own functioning, untraceable, AK47

A journalist for Mother Jones explains the process in the video above.

Although US customs laws ban importing the weapons, parts kits—which include most original components of a Kalashnikov variant—are legal.
So is reassembling them, as long as no more than 10 foreign-made
components are used and they are mounted on a new receiver, the
box-shaped central frame that holds the gun's key mechanics. There are
no fussy irritations like, say, passing a background check to buy a kit.
And because we're assembling the guns for our own "personal use,"
whatever that may entail, we're not required to stamp in serial numbers.
These rifles are totally untraceable, and even under California's
stringent assault weapons ban, that's perfectly within the law.

12 comments:

>they are mounted on a new receiver, the box-shaped central frame >that holds the gun's key mechanics.

If memory serves, the receiver is classified as a firearm, by the US Gov't and has a serial number. To purchase one, you need to have the appropriate documents from a Federal Firearms License, as a firearms dealer. If you want to buy one, you go to a registered FFL, who purchases it for you and sells it to you. The FFL maintains paperwork under law on what they have bought and sold, and also handles the registration paperwork as appropriate for your state.

What this video covers is the on-going trend for folks to "customize" their rifles. You can buy kits to add accessories (like telescopic sights, etc), and change external components (add different butt stocks, barrels, handles, etc.) The accessories and external components aren't registered.

But the receiver kit is registered -- it has a serial number. A trained machinist with a metal manufacturing shop can make receivers. Someone can theoretically make one by hand, but its a long and complex process since the tolerances and metalcutting requirements are pretty tight.

Here's an article by someone on how to build your own AR-15. http://www.hawaiireporter.com/part-1-diy-ar-15-build-choosing-a-lower-receiver/123

Under BATF regulations the receiver is not required to have a serial number until it is sold and then it is only with the permission of the BATF as firearms technically are not allowed to be made for sale. Only then it has to have a serial number affixed to it so that it can be ran through the NICS check for the purchaser. See/Google [18 U.S.C. 922(o) and (r), 26 U.S.C. 5822, 27 CFR 478.39, 479.62 and 479.105] The federal Government keeps no records of firearm owners, only serial numbers of transferred firearms. The only record that has the buyers name and information is the Form 4473 that is stored at the dealers place of business. If a weapon is used in a crime and recovered the serial number is then tracked back to the original point of sale at the gunshop it was last sold and the personal information of the buyer is then given to the BATF.

Cliff is mostly correct. If you obtain a complete receiver it must already have a serial number. But if you purchase an 80% receiver you can complete building it and it does not require a serial number. Keep in mind this if the gun is for your own personal use. In the case of the Mother Jones reporter he bought a 0% flat stamp cutout that had to be formed in a press and have the rail and trunnions installed. That's why the party. They supply the presses, dies and welder along with the knowledge of how to.

@Wales Larrison: But if you make the receiver yourself, no registration or serialization is required. It's perfectly legal (to my limited understanding) to buy a piece of steel from a person, then make it into a receiver. The piece of steel is not a gun; the finished receiver is.

Yep. And as much as I hate to admit it, I'm not sure there's any way to stop it. Sure, we can make it illegal and try to put in technology blocks to stop it. But, if you want to know how well that works, just ask the R.I.A.A. and the M.P.A.A..

I'm doubtful that 3D printing is well suited to making that sort of thing. I'm not a gun expert but I assume receivers are put under some stress during use, and a printed part won't be as strong as a forged or machined one.

"Tai-wiki-widbee" is an eclectic mix of trivialities, ephemera, curiosities, and exotica with a smattering of current events, social commentary, science, history, English language and literature, videos, and humor. We try to be the cyberequivalent of a Victorian cabinet of curiosities.

The 2008 Weblog Awards

Category: Best New Blog

Translate

Search TYWKIWDBI

About Me

I'm using an old photo of my grandfather as an avatar; he would have been amused.
Old friends, classmates, students, former colleagues, or distant relatives are welcome to email me via retag4726 (at) mypacks.net